TV networks agree to tone down adverts

TV networks agree to tone down adverts - Yahoo New Zealand

The earmuffs can come off during television commercials after the networks decided to tone down the noise.

After years of viewer complaints about advertisements sounding much louder than normal programming, TVNZ, Maori Television and MediaWorks have all signed an agreement which will make them easier on the ear.

They reached an agreement on sound compression, a technique used in advertisements which makes the advertisements sound much harsher on the human ear, TVNZ reported.

The agreement is due to come into effect on January 1, but TVNZ says it will roll out the change from Sunday.

"We know how viewers feel, so why delay when we can improve their viewing experience and remove an obstacle to advertisers' success," TVNZ chief executive Kevin Kenrick said.